Women sidelined as Saudi Arabia selects all-male Asian Games team

10 years ago | Posted in: women | 448 Views

Saudi Arabia has failed to include a single female athlete in its 199-strong team for the upcoming Asian Games in South Korea, saying its women are not sufficiently competitive.

The Saudi stance sparked criticism from Human Rights Watch, which condemned its all-male line-up, saying the ultra-conservative state was shutting the door on female athletes, having previously shown signs of wanting to break down barriers.

Saudi authorities were widely applauded for including two women in their team for the 2012 London Olympics, a symbolic first for the Islamic kingdom.

But just over two years later, the oil-rich nation has opted not to pick any females for the 17th Asian Games, to be held in Incheon, South Korea, from September 19 to October 4.

Mohammed al-Mishal, the secretary-general of Saudi Arabia’s Olympic Committee, told Reuters that Saudi Arabiawas committed to sending female athletes to the next Olympics, but said they were not yet competitive enough for Asian Games.

“Technically, we weren’t ready to introduce any ladies and the new president of our Olympic committee (PrinceAbdullah bin Musaed bin Abdulaziz) rejected sending women to only participate, he wanted them to compete,” said Mishal.

“We will be having women in Rio de Janeiro on a good scale, but not at the Asian Games.”

Mishal said Prince Abdullah, who was appointed Saudi Arabia’s General President of Youth Welfare this year, had discussed his country’s plans with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)….see more

source: arabianbusiness

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